WACO, Texas — Nebraska pounded out a victory in its first Big 12 road test of the season Saturday night.

Emphasize “pounded out.”

Taking advantage of a tiring Baylor defense, Nebraska ran the ball on 36 of 44 second-half plays, essentially grinding out a 23-14 triumph before 40,857 fans at Floyd Casey Stadium.

The Huskers (5-1, 2-1 Big 12) finished the night with 182 rushing yards, including 128 in the second half.

“I think it’s important to run on the road,” said Nebraska coach Bill Callahan, who often emphasizes the importance of versatility in his West Coast offense. “You have to show your physicality.”

With Baylor repeatedly putting eight and nine defenders near the line of scrimmage, Nebraska was forced to throw in the first half, and Zac Taylor was 14-for-24 for 129 yards as the Huskers took a 13-7 lead.

“With all of their pass rushing, I think they got tired,” Nebraska offensive line coach Dennis Wagner said. “In the second half, we wanted to come out and lean on them.”

Pounded out? The theme also applied to Nebraska’s defense midway through the fourth quarter with NU leading 23-14. Strongside linebacker Adam Ickes’ crunching hit knocked the ball loose from wideout Dominique Zeigler, who had just made a reception deep in Husker territory.

Sophomore cornerback Cortney Grixby scooped up the bouncing football and returned it 33 yards, essentially putting away Baylor (4-2, 1-2).

Senior I-back Cory Ross led Nebraska’s rushing attack with 93 yards on 26 attempts. Also pitching in were true freshmen Cody Glenn (12-41) and Marlon Lucky (7-18). Even Taylor got into the act with some key scrambles, winding up with five rushes for 30 yards.

Taylor finished 18-for-32 passing for 168 yards and two touchdowns.

Nebraska roared out of the halftime locker room with an eight-play, 79-yard touchdown drive. The Huskers pounded away on the ground, running the ball seven straight times for 61 yards.

On second-and-13 at the Baylor 21-yard line, Taylor received pressure in the pocket and bought time by rolling to his right. He found wide receiver Todd Peterson standing alone in the back of the end zone for the Grand Island redshirt freshman’s first career reception. Nebraska led 20-7 and had momentum on its side.

Baylor, though, wasn’t finished.

On second-and-10 at the Nebraska 48, Baylor quarterback Shawn Bell and wideout Trent Shelton teamed for a 51-yard completion. Shelton broke through attempted arm tackles by safeties Daniel Bullocks and Blake Tiedtke along the Nebraska sideline, sprinted across the field and fumbled at the 1, but Zeigler wrestled away the ball in a scrum of players in the end zone for the touchdown.

Nebraska true freshman Jordan Congdon’s 22-yard field goal completed the scoring with 9:21 remaining in the game. His kick ended a 14-play, 56-yard drive.

Baylor opened the game with an 81-yard scoring drive, but was held to 177 yards the rest of the way.

Husker middle linebacker Corey McKeon, who had seven tackles, said the defense made no major adjustments after the Bears’ strong opening.

“We just kind of absorbed what they were doing, then we started dictating the game to them.”

Grixby’s 48-yard punt return in second quarter set up Nebraska’s go-ahead touchdown. Punter Daniel Sepulveda tackled the 5-foot-9, 165-pound Grixby at the Baylor 9. On third-and-goal from  the 4, Taylor tossed a touchdown strike to wideout Terrence Nunn, giving the Huskers a 10-7 advantage with 5:09 left before halftime.

Nebraska nose guard Le Kevin Smith recorded two sacks on Baylor’s ensuing drive to stymie the Bears. The Huskers responded with an 11-play, 66-yard drive that ended with Congdon’s 29-yard field goal, pushing the lead to 13-7.

Baylor scored the game’s first points on quarterback Shawn Bell’s 5-yard run to end the Bears’ first possession, a 14-play march that consumed 7:21. Nebraska came right back with an 18-play, 59-yard drive that took 7:05 and ended with Congdon’s 41-yard field goal.

Baylor’s offense began to sputter in the second quarter.

Nebraska, meanwhile, committed only one turnover while giving Callahan his first Big 12 road win. The Huskers also matched last year’s win total.

“That’s not important right now,” Callahan said. “The important thing is that we continue to improve.”